There's plenty to do in the beautiful seaside county of Ceredigion, Mid Wales. Uplifting and full of potential for adventure, perhaps the best part of planning your trip along the coastal path is the sheer variety of options.
Walking and cycling
Try following some of the paths between Llangrannog, the tiny beach village where composer Edward Elgar once holidayed, and colourful New Quay where you can explore the harbour. This route takes you along one of the most eye-catching sections of the Ceredigion Coast Path.
Don't miss the waterfall cascading over the cliff edge at Tresaith beach, created when glacial activity diverted the river Saith. Head along the all-weather cliff path between the villages of Tresaith itself and Aberporth, then challenge yourself to the steep climb from there to Penbryn.
Starting at New Quay, the Dylan Thomas Trail proves why the poet was so inspired by this spectacular scenery, from the Georgian town of Aberaeron to Llanerchaeron, the National Trust mansion built by John Nash during the late 18th century.
There are two beaches, South and North, in Aberaeron, leading on to a harbour where you can admire a sailing regatta or two during the summer months.
If you’re biking, take an easy ride through the Rheidol Cycleway, which leads to Devil's Bridge - a village named in disbelief that human hands could have built its towering mid-18th century bridge. The tranquil Rheidol Valley, a place of ancient mines, reservoirs, butterfly farms. The lazier alternative is to board the Vale of Rheidol steam railway which runs between Aberystwyth (where you can saunter along the prom to the pier) and Devil's Bridge.
Cycling heaven also lies on the easily accessible Ystwyth Trail between Aberystwyth and Tregaron, although this 21-mile stretch is also perfect for walkers and horse riding. It runs along part of the trackbed of the disused Manchester and Milford Railway, so it's generally pretty level. Keep going along the Lon Teifi long distance cycling trail to the market town of Lampeter, a beauty spot which has lost little of its historic charm.
Find maps and more information about the cycling trails on the Discover Ceredigion website.
Head to the beach
Sit on the sand at the National Trust's Mwnt Beach, in Cardigan Bay, for a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins. You can even head out in pursuit of them if you join one of the boat trips departing from the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre in New Quay, equipped with an underwater microphone allowing you to listen to the sounds they make while they swim. Also make sure you take a peep inside the Church of the Holy Cross chapel at Mwnt - idyllic and remote, the site has been used as a place of worship since the 13th century.
Or pay a visit to Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park, where you'll meet sheep, goats and Welsh mountain ponies, as well as porpoises and seals from the vantage point of the soaring cliffs over their watery home.
Many of the harbour towns offer tours with guides and boat trips from their shores, which might be the perfect way to see some of the menagerie of specimens off the Cardigan coast.
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